Visiting the city? Here are Glasgow’s hidden hotspots and highlights you can’t afford to miss

Taking advice from locals on Scotland’s Community, a new forum hosted on visitscotland.com, we look at the attractions off the beaten track.

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Glasgow Live

06:01, 27 JUL 2016

Updated16:39, 27 JUL 2016

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Glasgow locals share their tips on Scotland's Community

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BUSY, vibrant and buzzing with activity, Glasgow is a major hotspot for tourists looking to discover more of Scotland.

But, as most locals will tell you, to really get to the heart of the city (and avoid queues!), you need to venture off the beaten track.

To make sure you see the city at its best, we’ve teamed up with new online forum Scotland’s Community to cherry-pick the true Glasgow sights you won’t want to miss.

1. The Necropolis

If you’re a fan of history, sculptures and the macabre, a visit to Glasgow’s Necropolis won’t disappoint.

While visiting a cemetery might not seem like a typical afternoon of sightseeing, the 37-acre site is full of stunning architecture and the fascinating past of the 50,000 people laid to rest there.

Forum user Ananyah shared why the Necropolis is one of her favourite hidden gems, saying: “At Glasgow’s Necropolis, you can view graves of the famous, inspirational and military as well as great views of the city.”

Guided walking tours are available two or three times a month, and last around an hour. The tours are very popular, so make sure to book ahead of time at glasgownecropolis.org

2. Glasgow Doors Open Day

Have you ever wanted to sneak into Glasgow’s closed, barred and roped off buildings? Well, Doors Open Day is your chance to explore.

Running annually, the festival sees some of the city’s most historic, unusual and iconic monuments open to the public, allowing you to unearth well-kept secrets.

Sneak inside the Mitchell Library (Image: Stephen Taylor)

This year, doors will creak open from September 12 to 18. Although the locations and events haven’t yet been announced, previous years saw access granted to the Snuff Mill, the inner workings of the Mitchell Library and the Govanhill Baths.

Thetinberrytravels shared on Scotland’s Community: “Keeping an eye out for open days is a great way to see places not normally open to the public. I’d highly recommend the Clydeport, it’s a spectacular building!”

3. The Hunterian Museum

Glasgow is a city filled with museums and galleries but The Hunterian is a cut above the rest.

The oldest public museum in Scotland, the walls of The Hunterian are filled with everything from the work of Charles Rennie Mackintosh and Roman artefacts to anatomical teaching materials and classic art.

Located within the University of Glasgow, in the west end of the city, the museum provides free tours led by expert student guides.

4. The Sixty Steps

Another gem in the west end is The Sixty Steps – forum user Ananyah shared her love of them: “The Sixty Steps on Queen Margaret Drive are a massive retaining wall of steps that were created by Glasgow architect, Alexander ‘Greek’ Thomson in the early 1870s.”

The steps are a B-listed monument and architect Thomson’s sole surviving structure in the city. Take a walk up the steps on a crisp day for views of the “architectural treasure-trove”.

5. House for an Art Lover

As if the beautiful grounds of Bellahouston Park weren’t enough, the House for an Art lover adds an extra reason to visit the south side of the city.

Inspired by the designs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh (yes, you’ll find his influence all over the city), the art gallery and exhibition space “exists to stimulate public interest in art, design and architecture”.

With an art studio, café, outdoor sculptures and a heritage centre telling the history of Bellahouston, there is something for everyone in this unique attraction.